Feature: The Big Problems With Bi-Generation in Doctor Who

Feature article by guest contributor Will Ainsworth.

I’ve always been the sort to leap into Doctor Who’s ever-changing narrative with gusto, savouring every twist and turn the show throws at us. I admit, though, I’ve still had my quibbles over the years – the half-human Doctor and the Timeless Child storyline, to name a couple. But now, there’s the latest idea of bi-generation in Doctor Who, and I’ve got to say, it’s got me a tad worried about what’s ahead for the show.

Diminishing Danger

First off, if the Doctor has, like the Timeless Child revelation suggested, infinite regenerations and can now also double up without breaking a sweat, where’s the drama any more for the Doctor? Remember when we’d be on the edge of our seats, worried sick if the Doctor was in a tight spot? Is that now a thing of the past? Why worry about the Doctor facing danger if getting ‘killed’ means potentially popping out two Doctors, one of which maintains the original body. It’s kind of like the Doctor is in a video game with unlimited lives! It cheapens it.

Part of what made fans love the show was that sense of danger, the thrill that maybe, just maybe, the Doctor might not make it this time. If regeneration just becomes this casual thing, where the Doctor can just regenerate with little concern, aren’t we losing a bit of what made Doctor Who… well, Doctor Who? It’s supposed to be about adventure, risk, and yes, sometimes loss. The whole tension of the show was in not knowing if the Doctor would come out of their latest scrape unscathed.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, while I’m all for new twists and turns, let’s not forget the heart of Doctor Who. It’s not just about flashy regenerations or keeping the Doctor safe at all costs. It’s about the journey, the risk, the excitement of not knowing what’s next. And yeah, sometimes, it’s about saying goodbye. Speaking of…

Goodbye Grief

Bi-regeneration also really shakes things up in terms of how we view our dear Doctor’s departures. Regenerations have always been emotional, signalling the end of one thrilling ride and the start of another. Think about it – the Tenth Doctor’s gut-wrenching “I don’t want to go,” wasn’t just his resistance to change; it was a mirror to our own reluctance to say goodbye to a Doctor we’d grown so fond of. Or the Eleventh Doctor, with his deeply touching speech in Trenzalore, marking a transition that was both sweet and sorrowful. These moments are the beating heart of Doctor Who.

But here’s the rub with bi-regeneration: it completely takes the sting out of these farewells. I didn’t shed a single tear over Fourteen’s “end”, but the Tenth Doctor, that was another story. If a regeneration doesn’t mean a true goodbye, but more of a path-fork where the old Doctor still exists alongside the new, it lessens that sense of finality and emotional heft. The idea that a Doctor can split suggests that their journey never really ends now, which, in turn, kind of takes the oomph out of their parting scenes.

Plus, this means we might not get as emotionally invested in future. Can you honestly tell me you are as worried about the Fifteenth Doctor’s end now, given RTD can pull the same trick?

We’ve always cherished Doctor Who goodbyes because they brought closure, letting us grieve one Doctor and get excited about the next. If bi-regeneration turns into a regular thing, it leads us to be blasé, knowing the Doctor we’re waving off might still pop around in some form or another. I suppose it also depends on what happens to the previous Doctor after bi-generation, something we have no clue on right now. Can Fourteen still regenerate?

The New Doctor Dilemma

Then, there’s the impact on the new incarnations to consider. Each new Doctor’s arrival has historically been a game-changer, bringing in a fresh look and a new dynamic. It’s vital for keeping the show lively and engaging, with every new Doctor adding their unique flair and perspective. However, bi-regeneration, allowing for past Doctors to stick around alongside the newbies, muddies the water.

Rather than the spotlight shining solely on the new Doctor, we end up with our loyalties and interests split. This could water down the impact of the new Doctor’s storylines and lessen our emotional connection with their journey. I know I already feel different about this upcoming era because I know the Fourteenth Doctor is still out there, and I find it impossible to believe RTD won’t use him again.

Moreover, having previous Doctors return to the ongoing narrative might inadvertently create a sort of competition. If these eras overlap with a spin-off or event episodes, it might lead to comparisons that don’t necessarily flatter the new Doctor, especially if they’re still trying to find their feet. This scenario isn’t just a challenge for narrative coherence, but also for the actors stepping into those big shoes, who might feel extra pressure to stand out from their ever-present predecessors.

Zero Consequence Team-Ups

Finally, we have the issue of future team-ups. While Multi-Doctor events have obviously happened, they’ve usually been a bit of a no-no for the Doctor, primarily because they posed a risk to the stability of time and space. Knowing this, the Doctor usually tried to steer clear of bumping into their other selves unless absolutely necessary.

But then comes “The Giggle,” and bi-generation, where Fourteen and Fifteen teamed up without a hitch. It was fun, sure, but it kind of throws a wrench into these previously established rules. If multi-Doctor meetups are suddenly no big deal, why won’t Fourteen help Fifteen all the time, especially when Earth or the universe is in peril? And if we’re to believe RTD’s hints that past Doctors have also now gone through bi-regeneration too, well, that opens a whole can of other worms…

It’s like opening Pandora’s box – once you’ve established that multiple incarnations of the Doctor can casually join forces, you’ve got to wonder why this isn’t the go-to solution for every major crisis.

While it might be a treat to see different Doctors interacting, part of the show’s charm has always been how each Doctor handles their own problems with their unique style and resourcefulness. Overusing the multi-Doctor angle could risk turning a special narrative device into a common, less impactful occurrence.

Concluding Thoughts

As Doctor Who marches on into the future, I really hope these points are given due thought by RTD. If bi-generation is used sparingly as a rare, exceptional event, it’s a little easier to swallow, but the thought of it becoming a regular feature and messing with past Doctor regenerations? That’s where my concerns really kick in.